3. You need 2 hands for this : Hold down the paper feed button and switch the power on. Keep your finger on feed for 3 seconds

4. If the Epson TM-T88V receipt printer starts printing out your settings then you can be 99% sure the problem is not with the hardware

5. If you can't get a print out you may have a hardware problem. Check to see if the printer is under warranty.
If you need specific help leave a comment below.

52 Comments

Hi, my printer is saying it needs attention but doesn’t say what it needs. We have tried turning it on and off and restarted the whole computer but it doesn’t fix it. What else can I do to try and fix it.

Hi Sarah,

If it’s an Epson TM-T88IV or V, can you try doing a self test as described above. If you get 2 pages printing out, one with test characters and one with settings, then you know the printer itself is ok.

Let me know how you go.

Hi, I have tried the above mentioned way and 2 testing paper is printed. but on the computer, the printer can be deteched, and cannot print out, wonder if there is any driver.

I work on mindbody online system and wonder if there is any possible way to connect.

My printer clearly responds and even triggers the cash drawer. It scrolls the paper as if printing and cuts it, but with nothing printed on it. I did the self test and it responds, but with nothing printed. My printer is about a year old, but barely used. Its been standing unused for a while.

Charles

Hi Charles,

My 1st thought is a paper issue. Did the problem happen after you changed paper rolls?

The 80x80mm thermal rolls must feed from underneath. If the roll is feeding from over the top the paper is upside down and printing on the wrong side.

Also, make sure you’re not using 76x76mm plain/bonded paper. The sizing is nearly the same.

Hi . I also have a TM-T88lV i cleaned the unit and after that both of the paper out as well as the error light stays on and the feed button does not work. If i switch off the unit and open the paper hold and remove the paper and switch it on again with the cover open, you can press the paper out sensor and the light does off. If you close the cover again even with paper inserted the paper out light goes on and does not go off unless the previous steps are retaken . Please help if it is possible.

It sounds like you may have damaged the paper sensor when cleaning. Epson TM-T88IV’s have a 3 year warranty, so you can contact your supplier for repair if you bought it in that time. If older than 3 years, I’d suggest getting a new T88V with a 3 year warranty. The sensors can be expensive to replace once you add in labour time.

Thank you very much for the response it is much appreciated.

hi,maybe you can help me out.i cant print and when i troubleshoot,it says that my printer needs to turn on because it is off,but its not.what should i do?thanks

It sound like you have a faulty power supply. Do you have another printer power supply you can test with the printer?

Great advice. Works!I tried everything in the software, OS and even replaced the printer to no avail. The only thing I did not replace was the power supply. I was going nuts, but now I’m a happy camper. Thanks

Hi George.So glad we could help you and the printer is working.

i have a problem with the tm-t88iv printer it is testing fine but when you connect to the pc it does not print, when i change the printer the new one works on the same machine, so what could be the issue?

Hi Stephen,

If the “self test” is working fine, and the same model of printer is working then it could be a faulty interface board.

Are both printers the same connection type? E.g. USB, serial or ethernet?

If they are the same interface you can try using the working printer interface board in the non-working printer. There are 2 screws on the back plate to be undone and the board just pops out. Just make sure the power if off when changing boards.

Let me know how you go.

my epson tm-t88v prints fine on the sides of the paper, but the middle is not printing good at allWhat do i do?

Hi Anthony,

It’s either a bad paper roll or your printhead is dead.

Steps1. try some different paper rolls in the printer2. If problem still exists the print head is dead. You’ll need a new printhead or a new printer.

I have an Epson TM-T88v Model M244AIt prints out just fine, but after it prints, it has this grinding sound until you rip the paper off…Any idea what can fix this issue?Also, when i connect another printer (Exactly the same model) the computer does not recognize it…is there a way to use a new printer of the exact same model? can’t figure out why its not initializing…

Hey There.

Sounds like your paper cutter might be jammed. Does it still cut after printing a receipt or do you have to tear the paper manually? If it’s not auto-cutting, i’d say the grinding is the auto-cutter trying to work but is jammed. This may need to be replaced by a technician, or replaced under warranty.

Is the second printer the same connection type ie USB, serial, parallel or Ethernet? If It’s ethernet, it will have a different IP address than the first printer for example.

My TM-T88V after 3-4 hours of work stoped when large crowds .Turn the Led bulbs Error. After that I turn button Power Off/on and the and everything is OK (like hard reset) . With the new printer TM-t88V everything without problems.

Hi Proby,

This one has me a little stumped. It sounds like it could be an overheating issue or your cache buffer is getting full and the full reset clears the cache buffer. Can you test with another printer?